It is two o’clock in the afternoon. Typhoon “Nina’s” direction is Sorsogon, one of the cities in the Bicol region.
I hurriedly go to the front window of our house. Earlier, I helped my daughter put up a sheet of galvanized iron over a piece of plywood to protect the window from the wild, swaying force of the wind that is now clearly at Signal No. 3.
Fourteen years ago in 2002, I retired as an elementary grade teacher. This did not stop me from doing volunteer work— teaching catechesis, as secretary to a cooperative helped with a grant from World Vision, and as secretary of the senior citizens federation in Sorsogon City.
Way back before 2016, those were peaceful years. Why reminisce those years?
This was Christmas 2016, a time wracked by extrajudicial killings, corruption, illegal drug trade, wars and typhoons. Thank God, Nina was the last typhoon of the year, and Pope Francis is praying for world peace.
I count myself lucky. In my 75 years I am inspired by our federation president who is tirelessly working for the cause of the elderly pensioners, including those who do not get involved.
Despite oft-delayed receipt of our meager pensions, we should not cease to pray to the “new-born” Child. Though uncertainties cloud the new year’s horizon, all is proof that, as Ardis Whitman once said, at the heart of darkness an unquenchable light shines.
A prosperous New Year to all!
AZULINA DETERA MARBELLA, Caricaran, Bacon District, Sorsogon City